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By KARLA POMEROY
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Top barley growers honors by Molson Coors

 

June 30, 2022

NORTHERN WYOMING NEWS PHOTOS/Karla Pomeroy Molson Coors agronomist Dave Dougherty congratulates 2018 Moslon Coors top barley grower Ray Gimmeson of Powell. not pictured is Jason Gimmeson. The award was presented at the Northern Wyoming Barley Field Day on Wednesday, June 22. The last field day was held in 2018 so growers for the 2018 season forward were honored this year.

WORLAND - Top Molson Coors barley growers from northern Wyoming for the past four years were honored during Northern Wyoming Barley Field Day on Wednesday, June 22.

Agronomist Dave Dougherty said the field day had not been held since 2018 so they were honoring the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 top growers that day.

The 2018 top grower for Northern Wyoming was Gimmeson Farms with Ray and Jason Gimmeson of Powell. Ray Gimmeson was present.

Dougherty said, "Ray couldn't believe he had won this, but he's also been in the top five growers in 2019 and 2020. You do a very good job. He raises malt barley, sugar beets, beans, little hay."

The 2019 top grower was South Flat Land and Livestock - Vance, Vanny and Clint Lungren, of Worland. Vance and Clint Lungren were present for the recognition.

"They have over the years also always been in the top percentile of top growers from year to year to year. You see a pattern with everybody that's up here. They're a very diverse operation, large operation. They do a heckuva job for us," Dougherty said.

For 2020 Jordan Farms Inc. - John and Tyeta Scheuerman of Worland were recognized with John, Tyete, Sophia and Gabe Scheuerman in attendance.

Dougherty said, "This is truly a family operation. Everybody's involved with everything. They do a great job. When we look across from starting in the spring, I pick out certain fields and use them as a barometer to see how things are progressing, one that I always look at is one of their fields."

The 2021 top grower was Cactus Hill Corporation - Todd and Connie Werbelow of Emblem. This was the third time they have been honored as the top grower.

"They have won this 25 to 30 years ago, 2015 and 2021. They always do a fantastic job. He raises very good beets, beans and malt barley."

Molson Coors Beverage Company elevator supervisor Scott Heessel, who has retired, was honored for his 21 years of service for the company.

Jason Boose, manager for Wyoming and Idaho, and Dougherty recognized Heessel, presenting him with a buckle and a Coors sign.

Heessel said, "I just want to stay thank you to all of you, to the company and everybody that has tolerated me for the past 21 years. You can't find a better company to work for. They turned me loose, they let me go, they let me be my own man. Giving somebody that kind of responsibility, not every company will do that for you. It's just been wonderful. I miss it every day. I think we ran a good operation, a safe operation."

Wade Malchow, senior manager of the barley program, told the growers that "what we do here in the barley field impacts what they do in the brew kettle. We have a good year, they have a good year. We have a bad year, they have a bad year."

He said most of the barley grown in northern Wyoming goes to Golden, Colorado, with some sent to a malt house in Idaho and some to Minnesota.

The keynote speaker was slated to be Peter Coors but he was unable to attend this year and in his stead was Brian Erhardt, chief supply chain officer.

"We have about 6,200 people in supply chain," he said between the United States, Canada and Latin America.

"We're always trying to get better. We're always trying to brew better beer every day and and a lot of research and work trying to find better ways to get better yields, just like you do with your own crops as well," Erhardt said.

On the business side he said Miller Light and Coors Light have been gaining shares.

"Coors Banquet, is doing extremely well and growing right now. Coors Banquet for several years was starting to decline but about two to three years leveled out. It's one of our fastest growing brands as a company," he said.

Erhardt noted that some people say it's because of the show Yellowstone or Cobra Kai, but really it's "beyond those viewers. We're doing quite well with Coors Banquet. We're quite proud of that. It's a great beer. We only make it in Golden."

Erhardt noted that a few years ago the company changed names from Molson Coors Brewing Company to Molson Coors Beverage Company because they branched out to different beverages including Five Trails Spirit, the company's first spirit and nonalcoholic drinks including ZOA energy drinks, LaColombé Coffee and Golden Wing Barley Milk.

He said the inflation seen this year is equal to the past eight years combined and is challenging the company with energy costs, commodities like corn, diesel, aluminum and more.

Erhardt said the company is working hard to be fair to the growers and have competitive pricing for their customers.

As for this year's crop, he said the crop is looking "very good."

"Last thing I want to say is I just want to say thank you. We know you have choices on what you grow and who you grow for, and who you partner with and who your customers are. I just want to say on behalf of Molson Coors and the entire organization we appreciate your partnership and the many years many of you have worked with us. We're going to be around for a long, long time."

 
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